A study on how to make a good impression of English speaking during job interviews

A study on how to make a good impression of English speaking during job interviews

Bộ giáo dục và đào tạo Tr-ờng Đại học dân lập hải phòng

Hai phong private university Foreign language department

*********************

Iso 9001: 2008

Graduation paper

A study on how to make a good impression

of english speaking during job interviews

By: NguyÔn ThÞ Thu H-¬ng

Class: NA903

Supervior: Mai V¨n Sao, B.A

HAI PHONG – 2009

Bộ giáo dục và đào tạo Tr-ờng đại học dân lập hải phòng

-ooo -

Nhiệm vụ đề tài tốt nghiệp Sinh viên: Mã số:

Lớp: Ngành:

Tên đề tài:

Nhiệm vụ đề tài

1 Nội dung và các yêu cầu cần giải quyết trong nhiệm vụ đề tài tốt nghiệp (Về lý luận, thực tiễn, các số liệu cần tính toán và các bản vẽ)

2 Các số liệu cần thiết để thiết kế, tính toán

3 Địa điểm thực tập tốt nghiệp

§Ò tµi tèt nghiÖp ®-îc giao ngµy th¸ng n¨m 2009

Yªu cÇu ph¶i hoµn thµnh xong tr-íc ngµy th¸ng n¨m 2009

Phiếu nhận xét tóm tắt của cán bộ h-ớng dẫn

1 Tinh thần thái độ của sinh viên trong quá trình làm đề tài tốt nghiệp:

2 Đánh giá chất l-ợng của Đ.T.T.N (So với nội dung yêu cầu đã đề ra trong nhiệm vụ

Đ.T.T.N trên các mặt lí luận, thực tiễn, tính toán giá trị sử dụng, chất l-ợng các bản vẽ)

3 Cho điểm của cán bộ h-ớng dẫn:

(Điểm ghi bằng số và chữ)

Hải Phòng, ngày tháng năm 2009

Cán bộ h-ớng dẫn chính

(Họ tên và chữ ký)

PART 1: INTRODUCTION

1 Rationale:

Having a good job is the main aim of all students after graduation However, whether all students can get it or not? It depents on many factors such as specialization, knowledge of society, activeness, relationship, interview skills, communication skills and so on All these factors need to be collected during a long time, not in a week or in a month

No matter where students went to school, no matter what the Grade Point Average is, no matter how much experience students have, no matter who students know, if they aren't able to interview successfully, they won‟t get the job One of the most important interview skills is speaking English

This above reason pushed me for the decision to study how to make a good impression of English speaking during job interviews I really hope that it can help me as well as other students get some more knowledge and improve our interview skills including English speaking

2 Aim of study:

This subject is to help students at Hai Phong Private university understand clearly the importance of speaking English in interviews to prepare carefully before joining in an interview

3 Method of study:

Search information about English speaking during job interviews in reliable sources on internet such as:

Point out some mistakes during job interviews and give some solutions

4 Scope of the study:

In this study, some interviews are analyzed to point out the factors make successful and unsuccessful interviews

5 Design of the study:

The study consists of three parts:

Part I: Introduction provides :

Rationale Aims Method of the study Scope of the study Design of the study

Part II: Development includes three parts:

Chapter 1: Theoretical Background provides :

An overview of job interviews

An overview of English speaking during job interviews How to make a good impression of English speaking during job interviews

Chapter 2: An insight into good impression of English speaking

during job interviews provides :

Some examples of successful answer in job interviews Some examples of unsuccessful answer in job interviews Some mistakes that shouuld be avoided during job interviews

Part III: Conclusion summaries the main points mentioned in the

above parts

PART 2: DEVELOPMENT Chapter 1: THEORETICAL BACKGROUND

1 An overview of job interview

1.1 What is job interview ?

A job interview is a conversation which occurs between a potential employer and a job applicant During the job interview, the employer hopes

to determine whether or not the applicant is suitable for the job, while the applicant tries to learn more about the position while also impressing the employer As a general rule, a job interview is an important part of the process of applying for a job, and it may range in formality from a casual conversation to a series of serious discussions with an assortment of people working within the company

[http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-job-interview.htm - written by S.E.Smith]

1.2 What makes a perfect job interview ?

1.2.1 Appearance

Your personal appearance is a critical component of that all-important first impression when you walk into the room for your interview

Here are some preparation tips:

• Think about your hair in advance and make sure it's as ready for the interview as your clothes

• How are your teeth? If they‟re not pearly white, consider using one

of the many teeth-whitening products on the market today

• Freshen your breath, especially if it's been a while (or if you've eaten

or smoked) since brushing your teeth

• Do not plan to wear perfume or cologne

• Women, if you decide on a dress or skirt, make sure it's not too short

• Don‟t forget to consider your shoes Chose a pair that is stylish, but conservative and comfortable

1.2.3 Preparing for a job interview

Preparing for an interview starts after application submission It is necessary to prepare for the interview by looking at following areas:

a Be honest with your answer

You can be judicious with the truth yes, but lies have a tendency to return and bite you in the bum! Even if they don't actually know that you've lied they will sense something is not right When you are under pressure it's

virtually impossible not to give out the signals that tell your interviewer that something is wrong

b Show yourself as a person

Let's be very clear here They have information about you If you've been clever at presenting your CV and application they will have expectation

as to what sort of person you are

c Know the employer and the position

Do a thorough research of the organization before the interview Read the company's literature Talk to some of the employees

Locate the interview place Visit the company before the interview

to make sure you know the exact place where the interview is to be held

d Know the different phases of an interview

Opening phases: After exchange of greetings, they will ask you to introduce yourself to verify names and position applied for

Eg: Tell me about yourself please!

Question respond phases: You will be asked different questions Make sure you answer them precisely using the language used

Eg: Why did you leave your last job?

Why should I hire you?

What do you see yourself doing five years from now? Ten years from now?

Closing phases: You might be asked to asked some questions Be prepare to ask or wrap up

Eg: Do you have any questions for us?

Some common question are asked in an interview:

 How would you describe yourself?

 What are your long range and short range goals and objectives?

 How do you plan to achieve your career goals?

 Why did you choose this career?

 What do you consider to be your greatest strengths and

[http://www.ehow.com/how_4534192_good-impression-during-job-interview.html - written by Paithorse]

2 An overview of English speaking during job interviews

If you want to surpass your colleagues, and make yourself more marketable, you will need to increase you English skills, and make them superior to the other people who work in your field While you may not realize it, people will judge you by the way you speak

One of the best ways to become successful is to have a strong command of the English language After high school, the way you speak will determine the type of job you get, and it will also determine your annual salary If you want to get a good paying job, you will need to learn how to talk If you stand out from the crowd, you will further increase your chances of success

2.2 Purpose

If you're like many people, you've probably read of the many ways you need to prepare for a job interview You've probably heard about how to dress, what to bring, and how to act While all of these things are important,

it is equally important for you to pay attention to your English

Speaking English in job interviews well creates you more opportunities to get the job

However, if you don't have a high command of the English language, you are more likely to make mistakes, and if the investor is not impressed with your manner of speaking, they may decline your offer, even if it is a good one This is just one example of how using English properly can be valuable

3 How to make a good impression of English speaking during job interviews

[Book: Teachersmousepad - written by Aaron Shepard]

3.1.2 What makes fluency?

3.1.2.1 Good vocabulary

a What is vocabulary?

Vocabulary is the study of : the meanings of words ; how the words are used ; Root words ; prefixes ; suffixes and analogies

b How to have good vocabulary?

Having a great English vocabulary doesn't just mean that you can understand lots of words and phrases: it also means that you can use these

words and phrases and that you can remember them when you need them

There are a number of ways that you can activate your passive vocabulary in English, ranging from simple five-minute activities to longer

periods of study Most activities work best if you have a good English

dictionary, and you keep a vocabulary notebook

Having good English dictionaries

A good English dictionary should be up-to-date (no more than five years old!) and should be easy to understand Make sure that the definitions are written in clear English Pictures also help you to understand some words I strongly recommend the Longman range of dictionaries, as there is good coverage of spoken and written English, British and American English,

as well as clear example sentences

Having vocabulary notebooks

When you come across a new English word or phrase, make a note of it! Look up the meaning in the dictionary, making sure you are aware of any grammatical information

For instance, if you are looking up a verb, check to see if the verb can be

used in a passive form, if it is followed by any particular preposition, and so on

Check also for the pronunciation and use of a word Is it particularly formal or informal, or used in certain word partnerships?

For example, we say "do housework", but "make an effort"

When you find a new word, check to see if you can use it in other ways English is a flexible language - nouns, verbs and adjectives often share the same stem

For example, a house, to house, housing policy, and so on

When you write down your new word in your notebook, try to include

an example sentence in English

Some people find it helpful to organise notebooks into themes So rather than having a list of words without any obvious connection, you divide your notebook into themes, with one page containing words to do with the house, another page with words to do with jobs, and so on

semantics Grammar is also used as a term to refer to the prescriptive rules

of a given language, which may change over time or be open to debate

[http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-grammar.htm - Written by Brendan McGuigan]

b How to improve grammar?

Purchase a grammar workbook from your local bookstore These books often include a self-assessment test, which will help you identify your grammatical areas of weakness Working through the related exercises is a good way to start improving your skills

Sign up for a grammar refresher course through a local college or adult education program These programs – often geared toward business professionals – will review the grammar rules you forgot after sixth grade and point out the most common grammar mistakes

Read about grammar rules on your own

Read People who understand grammar can usually tell when something sounds “wrong” without thinking about the nitty-gritty rules Reading will help you pick up that skill by exposing you to the English language used properly

Be vigilant It takes a lot of practice to acquire good grammar habits, so use correct grammar in every situation, even the most casual e -mail or text message to a friend Never send a message without proofreading

it, and keep your favorite grammar book nearby to look things up when you‟re unsure Sure, it sounds like a lot of work, but before long you‟ll be using proper grammar automatically

Brendan McGuigan ]

3.1.2.3 Good pronounciation

a What is good pronounciation?

There are three levels of English pronunciation:

Level 1: People often don't understand what you want to say You

use the wrong sounds in English words

Level 2: People understand what you want to say, but it is

unpleasant to listen to you

Level 3: People understand you, and your English is pleasant to

listen to

Level 3 will be called good pronunciation Notice that good

pronunciation is not "perfect American or British accent" You don't have

to sound like the Queen of England or the President of the United States of America

The rule is: If you are close to the standard, you can always communicate, and your English will be pleasant If you are far from the standard, sometimes you won't communicate successfully

[www.antimoon.com - Written by Brendan McGuigan]

b How to improve English pronunciation skills

Good English pronunciation will make people understand you easily

and be willing to listen to you!

You will say that we learn English just for communication, although

we speak English with a strong accent, native speakers can understand us,

that's enough But you know it is not pleased to listen to the bad

pronunciation!

Also, one will change the channel when a journalist covers a person

who speaks English without good pronunciation, because that make him/her

feel uncomfortable although he/her can't pronounce English fluently as well

So, how to speak English clearly and confidently? There are three

ways: practice, practice and practice! First practice speaking each word clearly then practice speaking each sentence clearly

Do not confuse pronunciation of words with their spelling! For

example, "threw" and "through", although spelled differently, are

pronounced the same Also, identical letters or letter clusters in words do not

always produce the same sound For example, the "ough" in "though" and

"through" represents a different sound in each word Learn to practise what

you hear, not what you see

Imagine a sound in your mind before you say it Try to visualize the positioning of your mouth and face Think about how you are going to make the sound

In addition to listening for specific sounds, pay attention to pauses, the intonation of the declaimer's voice and patterns of emphasis This can be just as important as the pronunciation of sounds

The English language has many different dialects, and words can

be pronounced differently It is important, however, that you pronounce words clearly to ensure effective communication

Finally, practise what you are learning! Remember that you are teaching your mouth a new way to move You are building muscles that you

do not use in your own language It is like going to the gym and exercising

your body Use the program to exercise your mouth a little bit each day

[http://www.wordhacker.com/en/article/english_pronunciation_tips.htm -

Written by Brendan McGuigan]

3.1.3 How to increase fluency in students

Students need to participate in repetitive readings of the same materials- teacher reads, students read with a partner, choral readings of the same passages

Have students tape record their oral reading, listen to it, evaluate and then repeat

Daily oral and silent reading practice of at least 20 minutes!

Have students read the same passage several times aloud prior to reading it to the class Students were required to read it several times out loud in private and then several times to a parent When we read the stor y aloud in class, the students' anxiety about reading aloud were greatly reduced They had many opportunities to practice reading fluently in the privacy of their own home and their reading in class had improved dramatically

Have students read silently at home as part of their weekly homework Silent reading DOES increase fluency, but it has to be done daily The more children read the more automatic it becomes

3.2 Eloquence

3.2.1 What is eloquence ?

Eloquence is the ability of expressing your ideas readily, clearly and

effectively

[Book: Teachersmousepad - written by Aaron Shepard]

3.2.2 How to improve eloquence ?

Not all of us are blessed with the gift of speech While some individuals are obviously gifted with eloquence and can hold listeners spellbound for hours, others merely can‟t hold a proper conversation for more than five seconds

As a great man once said, “some are born great; others have greatest

thrust upon them” You may not have been born with the skill to have

individuals listening to you as though the world‟s answers lies in your tongue, but with a few well practiced instruction, you can easily determine how to

Below are some steps that will assist you develop eloquence:

• Share what you know: A break in conversation frequently takes place when there is a misunderstanding of certain information Don‟t pretend that you know it all You will get caught if you do and may end up stammering

conservations are not unavoidably about world affairs An informed talk about gardening can make your listener‟s day

• Eye contact: It is important that you do not act as if your listener has

the plague A little eye contact goes a long way in saying, „what I‟m saying

will make more sense if it matters to you too‟ Eye contact is a psychological

tactic that makes your listener feel significant

• Listen: Most individuals tend to influence a conversation either out

of conceit or insecurity Either method, they end up making conversations one sided and stilted If you truly want to speak movingly and set off positive responses, listen to your listener What they have to say can steer the conservation into more meaningful waters

The art of eloquence is merely a matter of practice Practice the above ways and within a short time you will be shocked how articulate you have become

What you need to do is to develop a little personal philosophy and inner belief system that will help guide you to where you wish to be in the shortest amount of time This will take some thinking time, so first, why not schedule out some personal quiet time right now and start considering the future you in 2009?

[Book: Teachersmousepad - written by Aaron Shepard]